Island Experience 12 Days
Tour overview:
Experience the best of the island of Sri Lanka starting with the charming city of Galle. Visit the hill country and a Tea plantation. Marvel at the wildlife in the National Parks and take time to relax on the beautiful beach.
Day 1 - Arrive Colombus / Galle Fort
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka you will be met and assisted by our Airport Representative, who will direct you to your very own Chauffeur. Then transfer to your hotel in Galle, an undeniably charming city on the south coast of Sri Lanka. At the centre of the city is the world famous and UNESCO protected Dutch Fort, around which a modern city has sprung into life providing the visitor with an interesting experience between new and old. Check in to the hotel set within Unesco-protected Galle Fort, a centuries-old fortified enclave.
Once you check in at your hotel relax and recover from any jet lag.
Day 2 - Galle Fort
After breakfast commence a city tour, Galle the capital of the southern province is a city with a colorful history. 300 year old Dutch atmosphere is still very much alive around the fort and amidst its many historical buildings not invaded by the skyscrapers. The earliest European administrative centre of Sri Lanka was the major port and the largest city until the British shifted the port to Colombo. The City of Galle had been the European administrative centre over 4 centuries. A walk along the fort walls from the lighthouse allows you wonderful views out into the Indian Ocean, of the city behind it and into the famous Galle Cricket Ground, one of the most attractive of all international cricket venues.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3 - Unawatuna
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for Unawatuna, a town known for its coral reef and its palm-lined beaches, like Unawatuna Beach. Nestled in nearby jungle, the Japanese Peace Pagoda has a stupa with ocean views. The Sea Turtle Farm and Hatchery south of town protects endangered species. North across the bay is the city of Galle’s fortified old town, founded by the Portuguese and expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century. Check in to the hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Unawatuna.
Day 4 - Unawatuna
Blissfully spend your time as you wish whether it be indulging in fine spa treatment or relaxing by the beautiful Indian Ocean.
Day 5 - Unawatuna
Blissfully spend your time as you wish whether it be indulging in fine spa treatment or relaxing by the beautiful Indian Ocean.
Day 6 - Yala
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for Yala, the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. Check in to the hotel.
Afternoon commence a jeep safari in the Yala National Park by private jeep accompanied by a tracker. Yala National park one of Sri Lanka’s premier eco tourist Destinations and is renowned for its variety of wildlife notably its many elephants. It is also home to the spotted deer, sambar, wild buffalo, sloth bear, jackal, mongoose and crocodiles. The peacock is easily the most famous of the birds in this park. Yala has a high concentration of Leopards although seeing these nocturnal carnivores still requires some luck.
(Please be prepared for some rough and dusty roads and be aware that this park can be extremely busy, especially over weekends and festivals. Also note you will proceed in your jeep to the park entrance to collect tickets prior to the park opening, in busy periods this process may take up to 45 minutes.)
Day 7 - Ella
After breakfast leave for Ella a little village surrounded by high mountains and breathtaking vistas in the central hills of the country. It is Famous for the Ella Gap. It is also a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside and offers plenty of beautiful scenery and waterfalls. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 8 - Ella
After breakfast, commence a city tour in Ella. Visit Ella Gap – a gap in the mountains where you can see all the way up to the ocean on clear days.
Visit Little Adam’s Peak this is Ella’s best known tourist attraction, aptly named since it has a similar shape to Adam’s Peak, which is Sri Lanka’s holy mountain. It is a much shorter and easier climb to the top of the 1141 meter peak. The walk is enjoyable and clearly marked as you meander through tea plantations and take in breathtaking views of Ella Rock, Ravana Falls and the endless valley below.
Visit the Nine Arches Bridge. It is one of the best examples of British railway constructions when Ceylon was a colony of the British Empire. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase of tourism due to the bridge's architectural ingenuity and the profuse greenery in the nearby hillsides.
visit a Tea Factory and a Tea Plantation where the best tea in the world is being produced. At the tea plantation take a closer look on how the tea pickers pick the tea leaves, then you can join them to pick the tea leaves, then visit the factory with a staff member who will explain the process of fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. There are machines for almost every part of the process except of course the all important tea tasting at the end of the process to determine the quality of the tea.
(It’s usually dusty and noisy and inside the factory and its might be closed on weekends.)
Day 9 - Train to Kandy
After breakfast check out and leave for Ella railway station and board in to the train and continue to Kandy - A journey said regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world with sceneries of rolling mountains and green valley’s. Meet up with the driver at the Kandy station and leave for the hotel in Kandy.
(Train tickets are subject to availability and train times are subject to change due to regular delays Please note that train tickets can only be booked 14 days in advance, with preference given to government officials. When train tickets are not available, a scenic road transfer through the hill country will be substituted.)
Kandy, the bustling hill country capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for the pink painted Temple and the Kandy Lake built in 1807 which is an attractive centerpiece to the town.
Day 10 - Kandy
After breakfast visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed. Surrounded on three sides by the Mahaweli River, these botanical gardens were founded in 1824 and are still home to one of world’s largest collections of plants and trees. Giant ficus trees, palms, an orchid house and a vast array of trees such as ebony, teak, satinwood, mahogany and tamarind can be seen here. The garden once reserved only for royalty and also served as a headquarters during the Second World War.
Afterwards visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. It is the prime monument, the supreme edifice not only of the Sinhalese Buddhist populace of Sri Lanka but also of the Buddhists all over the world. It is within this magnificent temple that the sacred Tooth relic of Buddha (Danta Dhatu), the palladium of the Sinhalese nation & Buddhist faith is enshrined. This important shrine boasts intricate carvings and beautiful Sri Lankan art.
During the evening ‘puja’ throngs of pilgrims visit the temple to line up to glimpse the golden casket said to hold the sacred relic and to make offerings of flowers.
(Please dress appropriately when visiting The Temple of the Tooth Relic, with shoulders and knees covered.)
Afterwards commence a city tour of Kandy. Stroll along the famous Kandy Lake, built in 1807 and forms an attractive center-piece for the town. Return to the city center, a stroll along the famous shopping streets and to points of interest such as the central market, local church, garrison cemetery, clock tower and the historic railway station. Thereafter enjoy the Kandyan Cultural show at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre. The show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display.
Day 11 - Kurunegala / Negombo
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for Negombo. En route visit Millennium Elephant Foundation for a personal Safari where you walk behind the elephant around a 15 acre coconut estate accompanied by an educated guide learning about the behaviors of the elephant and the work of Millennium elephant foundation. Supporting responsible tourism and improving the welfare of domesticated elephants throughout the country. This experience is the most up close, personal and ethical way to see domestic elephants in Sri Lanka and unique to Millennium Elephant Foundation. It is an alternative to riding option. Allowing the elephant’s maximum freedom whilst in captivity and giving them the opportunity to act as they would in the wild. The walk includes a tour of their museum, bathing the same elephant in the river and optional shower whilst standing next to elephant.
Afterwards continue to Negombo, once a trading port for the Dutch and British now has been developed into a bustling modern town with a handful of reminders of its colonial past. Situated close to the international airport, it makes a convenient rest stop before heading inland to explore. The wide golden sand beach is dotted with fishing boats and the inland resort road offers a selection of restaurants and bars. Check in to the hotel, rest of the day at leisure.
Day 12 - Depart
Now that you are at the end of your journey with us, your chauffeur will comfortably take you to the international airport in time for your departure flight.